GhostF1 wrote: ↑28 Aug 2020, 11:31
That downshift bark we heard end of last season and pre season testing this year is back in FP1... interesting to note.
Your observation is note-worthy.
I've re-watched the Asaki and Yamamoto interview and tried to get some inference as to what might be in store for Honda's PU modes moving forward, and has my attention on two things:
1) he says that lift and coasting is not really necessary anymore and that they will still be running to the 100kg/hr fuel flow rate. Perhaps two of the only reasons a team would need to lift/coast is if they opt to go with less starting fuel weight and during a safety car period. It's also possible to be disqualified from qualifying if you exceed the fuel flow rate so teams need to be careful to be within legal parameters calculated over one lap and over a race distance. Lifting and coasting may reduce the energy converted from heat (thermal efficiency), so software mapping will need to ensure optimal fuel flow rate and operating temperatures.
2) If lift and coasting becomes necessary from running lower weight with less starting fuel, then what happens off throttle while lifting becomes ever important and that is where Asaki's response to the unique Honda PU sound off throttle has me intrigued. Perhaps Honda is working to optimize off-throttle thermal efficiency?